How to get strong and how to stay so / by William Blaikie.

  • William Blaikie
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: How to get strong and how to stay so / by William Blaikie. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    often have a man to run before and clear the way; but in smaller places, of course, the old danger exists. Thorough and efficient as this steam- service is in many ways, and trained as the men are to their duties, they are, very many of them, not nearly so effective as they might easily be, and as—considering the fact that the fireman^s work is their sole occupation—they ought to be. Men of pluck and daring, and naturally strong, often for days together they have no fire to go to, and so sit and stand around the engine-house for hours and hours. Soon they begin to fatten, until often they weigh thirty or forty pounds more than they would in good condition for enduring work. Haviiag no daily exercise which gives all parts of the body increased life and strength, neither the stout nor thin ones begin to be so strong, so quick of move- ment, or enduring as they would lie if kept in good condition. To carry from an upper story of a high building a person in a swoon or half suf- focated, and to get such a burden safely down a long narrow ladder through stifling smoke and terrible flame, is a feat requiring, beside great nerve and courage, decided strength and en- durance. Exposure during long periods, perhaps drenched through, perhaps holding up a heavy hose in the winter’s cold, or in many another duty all firemen well know, often without food or drink
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